Best home and visiting Test XIs to play in Pakistan

International cricket has certainly deserted Pakistan ever since the unfortunate attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus back in the year 2009. No major Test playing nation has toured the country since then. However, that cannot take any pride away from the fact that the country was once one of the most celebrated venues to host international fixtures in world cricket.

A plethora of players toured the country and came up with dazzling performances. ESPNcricinfo recently compiled two teams who they thought were the supreme best in the Pakistan conditions. They listed out a Home XI and a Visiting XI in the Test format of the game. The teams do look quite balanced and the individual performances have been taken into account whilst finalizing the lineups.

World Cup winning skipper Imran Khan is named as the captain of the lineup of Home XI. In the opening slot, legendary batsman Hanif Mohammad is accompanied by Saeed Ahmed. Saeed had played 41 Tests between 1958 and 1972. Former skipper Javed Miandad comes in next in the lineup. Veteran superstars of the previous decade make up the middle-order.

Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, and Inzamam-ul-Haq occupy the next three spots. In the wicket-keeper’s role, Saleem Yousuf fits the bill. The bowling department sees the two best bowlers of their generation – Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. Pakistan’s run machine Zaheer Abbas finds a place as the 12th man.

No place for Sachin Tendulkar

In the Visiting XI, former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar has been named as the captain. Gavaskar had a tremendous record while playing in Pakistan. He is accompanied by Virender Sehwag in the opening slot. Sehwag’s 309 at Multan is still etched fresh in the minds of the fans. Kumar Sangakkara needs no introduction in the list. Sanjay Manjrekar finds a place ahead of Sachin Tendulkar at the number 4 spot.

Ian Healy is the preferred wicket-keeper in the list. Spin duo of Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne occupy the bowling department. In the pace bowling front, Glenn McGrath gets the company of West Indies great Malcolm Marshall. South African ODI skipper, who is currently struggling to find a slot in Proteas Test lineup, also got a spot here along with Sanath Jayasuriya in the middle order.

Home XI:

Hanif Mohammad, Saeed Ahmed, Javed Miandad, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saleem Yousuf (wk), Imran Khan (c), Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, Abdul Qadir, Zaheer Abbas (12th man)

Visiting XI:

Virender Sehwag, Sunil Gavaskar (c), Kumar Sangakkara, Sanjay Manjrekar, AB de Villiers, Sanath Jayasuriya, Ian Healy (wk), Shane Warne, Malcolm Marshall, Glenn McGrath, Muttiah Muralitharan, Gary Kirsten (12th man)

The best home and visiting Test XIs to play in Pakistan: would you make any changes? https://t.co/6r4Rn3Nv8A pic.twitter.com/2s89suqwsA

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 28, 2017